MLB Rumors: Johan Santana Is On The Trade Market

by faketeams on Nov 24, 2007 6:42 PM EST in Baseball

Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports "[Johan] Santana approved the team's trade attempts, knowing he will have the final say because of his complete no-trade clause." Given the dearth of hitting on the Twins, one can expect any team with a surplus of young hitting to be involved in the more serious Santana trade rumors.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com is reporting, "The Twins, rival executives say, want at least one big-name major leaguer for Santana, a player such as the Mets' Jose Reyes or Yankees' Robinson Cano." This dovetails nicely with what Kat O'Brien of Long Island, NY's Newsday offered in this morning's edition.

One source said the Yankees plan to make a "good, strong offer" and that they believe they have more to offer the Twins in a trade than anybody else does.

Later she offers, "The Twins are believed to have more interest in Chamberlain and Hughes than Kennedy, but they also like second baseman Robinson Cano and centerfielder Melky Cabrera." The same All-Star level player Rosenthal mentioned.

She does say that the Mets may be involved based on what GM Omar Minaya has been saying this off-season about adding a starting pitcher and mention the same group of prospects - outfielders Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez along with pitchers Mike Pelfrey and Aaron Heilman. No mention of Jose Reyes which makes a lot of sense given the Mets have made no intentions of dealing him known.

Milledge and Gomez would certainly improve the Twins' outfield. I still don't see the team as serious contenders given the Twins could use a 3B and an upgrade at 2B, and the arms the Mets have to offer wouldn't beat out the ones the Twins already have.

More interesting, though, is the Twins need two positions that another team who is shopping an All-Star play does - the Florida Marlins. The Fish are shopping 3B Miguel Cabrera and want to also fill 3B and CF. Could the other Los Angeles team land Santana after failing to land Cabrera with the exact same player package? Matt Kemp and Andy LaRoche for Johan Santana makes a lot of sense if the Angels land Cabrera for Willits, Wood et al, doesn't it?

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yanks

heyman on wfan today mentioned that Cano/chamberlain are untouchable in any trades as told by yankee people

by boogeyman on Nov 25, 2007 1:25 AM EST reply actions

Thought so

I have read Joba was untouchable. if Cano is as untouchable as the ARod was unsignable if he opted-out, then the Yanks could still get Santana.

Initially, I thought that yanks wouldn't deal him, but the Yanks could still win with a stopgap at 2B.

by faketeams on Nov 25, 2007 7:17 AM EST reply actions

I agree

but if you read Nick Cafardo's article this morning-found in Olney's blog-it sounds like McCourt is quite happy with the structure of the team as it is right now. Could be a smoke signal, but he feels that LA's biggest move this offseason will be signing Joe Torre!!

"I think we're in a good position right now," said McCourt. "We don't have to make a deal. We made the biggest move we needed to make in signing Joe. I don't anticipate any nonsense in that clubhouse. He gives us instant credibility and we're thrilled to have him."
"He thinks Torre will get the most out of the young guys and will handle the veterans.
The Dodgers have a tough challenge in the NL West with Arizona and Colorado coming off playoff seasons, but McCourt has great faith in the talent on the squad."

This doesn't sound like an owner that is going to make a big splash at the Winter Meetings in a week.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Nov 25, 2007 10:24 AM EST reply actions

Thank God

Joe Torre is going to have that bunch hitting HRs! Great signing.

Fool if he believes that.

by faketeams on Nov 25, 2007 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

Rosenthal chimes in

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7488246

he doesn't like McCourt's stance....I hope they can get Miggy at a more reasonable price.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Nov 25, 2007 10:17 PM EST up reply actions

Rosenthal gets shredded

http://mikesciosciastragicillness.com/2007/11/26/ken-rosenthal-my-new-favorite-writer/

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Nov 26, 2007 4:04 PM EST up reply actions

HRs

you can make an argument that everyone in the
Dodgers lineup is capable of 20 hrs with the exception of Pierre, assuming Laroche is at 3b.
Martin, Loney, Kent, Furcal, Laroche, Ethier and Kemp.
I agree though, LA needs a legitimate HR hitter...Cabrera would be nice, but his price is exorbitant. Maybe a trade for Adam Dunn would be cheaper.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Nov 25, 2007 1:52 PM EST reply actions

Who?

Dunn is a nice option given he is just signed for next season. No idea what the Reds would want though.

If the Dodgers don't add hitting or startign pitching, I don't see them in any better shape than they were when last season ended.

Joe Torre is no savoir.

by faketeams on Nov 25, 2007 5:23 PM EST reply actions

I disagree

Kemp will be starting for a full season
Billz is in the rotation for the whole season
Laroche will offer more production than the 2007 LA 3bmen, if given the starting job
A healthy Furcal, in his walk year, should be more productive than the 2007 version. He was the catalyst of the 2006 offense.
a full year of Ethier in LF is better than the LF combo of Ethier and Gonzo
Torre>Little
Lowe and Penny are in their walk years

Of course this is looking through rose-colored glasses, but can one see the Rockies playing as well as they did in September all season? Or the Dbacks bullpen allowing them to win so many close games? or the Dbacks winning 90 games while being outscored?

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Nov 25, 2007 6:55 PM EST reply actions